Hoare surprised by All-Star call-up

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Melbourne Tiger Stephen Hoare, one of the National Basketball
League's quiet achievers, gets the chance to show off his talents
with a call-up to the All-Star game in Townsville tomorrow
following the withdrawal of Simon Dwight, who has a knee
injury.

Dwight, the West Sydney Razorbacks' shot-blocker, will pay for
his scratching with a one-game suspension, meaning he will miss the
Razorbacks' Friday match against the Crocodiles in Townsville.

NBL communications manager Marc Howard said the penalty was
brought in at the clubs' request to ensure players did not dodge
the game, and that the league had acted accordingly.

While Dwight will be punished, the league's best big man and
All-Star selection, Mark Bradtke, escapes the penalty despite
returning to Melbourne early yesterday after the Tigers were beaten
109-91 by the Crocodiles in Townsville on Sunday.

Howard said Bradtke had satisfied the league that he had
sufficient family grounds to withdraw, and he will be replaced by
former Victoria Giant Ben Pepper, now with New Zealand
Breakers.

Ironically, Bradtke would have struggled to have been fit enough
to play, having endured back and groin problems to grind out 21
points and 14 rebounds in 38 minutes on Sunday night after
travelling 12 hours from Auckland to Townsville on Saturday.

"I'm very very sore," he said. "I can't even lie on the bed . .
. I'm just in too much pain. My back's killing me, my groin's
killing me. I doubt I will train much this week."

Bradtke, 36, has battled a sore back for several seasons. He
said he expected to play against the Hawks in Wollongong, but "that
probably will be first time I'll touch the ball".

Hoare was delighted but surprised by his call-up. "Obviously
it's a thrill, but it's a little odd, " the unobtrusive forward
said.